Page 12 of The Misfit Mage and His Devilish Desires (Diabolic Romance #3)

Bez

Once this new devil ability faded, Wally recentered his attention on me and the dinner while filling me in on what’d happened to Kell. Nearly happened in this case. Wally still actively avoided the meal of essence they’d offered. Not that I blamed him. Their flavors were atrocious. The meat lacked in true savoriness. The meat had these phony grill marks while tasting like a steak Wally had murdered in a stove to the setting of overdone. Their fruits were so artificially sweet they may as well have tossed together a poorly crafted bowl of candy. If I weren’t doing my part to blend with the honor of this feast, I’d have rejected this course much like Wally. Though, ultimately, he likely dodged nibbling because of morals or some shit, as if devouring essence meant anything.

“You murder cows every single day, Walter.”

“What?” He raised a brow in confusion, and rightfully so. It appeared my Walter-isms were slipping in this stressful situation, and I ranted at him based on my own internalized aggravations.

“Nothing.” I huffed. “So, what is your little bug up to?”

“Last I saw before the connection faded was Tony and Kell putting together a scrying board,” Wally said, scrunching his face in a dramatic effort to reestablish this bizarre power.

No wonder I couldn’t help Wally master his new devil abilities. He had access to skills only true devils were capable of. Yes, when the essence circulated throughout my Diabolic being, it elevated my access to essence and enhanced my demon abilities, but I never harnessed anything within the scope of a devil’s actual power.

“The city is only so big,” I said. “Surely, Kell and your beast bug will locate these treacherous witches.”

“Yeah,” he said, releasing the tension in his face. “And according to the detection system, no one has left.”

“Not that the faulty system you lot created worked all that well.” Corson strutted toward us, hands gesturing to his physique. “Check and mate.”

“I think you mean case and point.” Wally eyed the demon up and down. “But your snide arrogance is sort of deflated when you’re covered in rubble.”

“And spent part of the evening possessed by your mommy,” I added. “Or quivering on your knees after running your mouth.”

“What man wouldn’t fall to his knees and quake when in the presence of the Great Lord Devil Walter Alden of the Misfit Mortal Mage Hybridization?”

I tsked at his condescending flattery. “Shame you clawed your way outta that hole so quickly; I quite enjoyed your absence.”

“No worries.” Corson winked at Wally. “I’m always looking for a new hole to bury myself in.”

My tails went to snatch him by the throat and hurl him back through another wall when Wally’s tail intercepted, wrapping two of my tails together and teasing the third. Though his was slimmer and shorter than my three, it moved with swift finesse. Something about Hell unlocked the block Wally had faced during our trainings. Perhaps the atmosphere of a Diabolic dimension or the fact my little mage always did his best when thrown into harrowing situations. The more dire, the less he overthought. Honestly, if I could keep him busy with a thousand tasks at once each day, Wally would become an unstoppable force.

Wally’s tail went limp—shocker—and I redirected my tails to steady his stance so no demons would notice floundering. Alas, Wally’s favorite skillset came from stressing over literally nothing.

Corson rejoined our table, continuing his suggestive innuendos as he picked over the best-presented food and ate.

“He reminds me of a certain demon,” Wally whispered. “You know, with all the sexy murder jokes.”

“Mora’s not nearly this crass.” I scoffed.

Wally’s face fell into bewilderment. “Do you seriously not see it?”

I eyed this pampered prince of Hell, studying his blatant arrogance, recalling how much he despised his devil, yet publicly remained an obedient puppet.

“I guess they’re both kind of prissy since they’re royal Diabolics,” I said, rocking my head from side to side.

“You,” Wally blurted. “He reminds me of you.”

“Walter.” I furrowed my brow. “The audacity.”

“The absurdity more like it,” Corson interjected. “I’m nothing like this warrior of Beelzebub’s. At least, I presume you’re a warrior based on how you carry yourself.”

“As if you know anything about the classes of Beelzebub’s realm.”

“Not much other than warriors and fodder, if memory serves.” Corson bit into a piece of meat. “Though, given your hidden history and false name and whatever other lies you composed over the centuries, I’d wager a defective warrior.”

“Don’t say that,” Wally said with a sharpness in his tone as his eyes went black.

“Apologies.” Corson waved his arm round and round into a frilly, phony gesture of bowing as he sat at the table. “I merely meant to convey my understanding for the warriors of Beelzebub’s world. In fact, breaking their bluster used to be a favorite pastime of mine before their Hell closed off entirely.”

I barred my teeth.

The dining hall rumbled, and I turned to Wally, ready to calm him for whichever comment had finally set him off. Only it wasn’t him. His essence circulated, protective, yet contained. This sudden overwhelming force came from Lilith’s return as we wrapped up the first course.

Flames burst from the sealed doors, charring them and leaving nothing but a flutter of cinders that sparkled with the dying embers of the essence Lilith had eradicated for no other reason than it added a bit of flair to her entrance.

Lilith wore a sleeveless cream dress with an opening in the cleavage that reached her belly button. The cream held a cleaner white at the skirt portion of the dress that reached all the way to her ankles and exposed her bare feet. Feet coated in essence and gave her toes a clawed aesthetic.

“Nice dress.” I crinkled my nose, fishing for a compliment.

“It’s a stola,” Wally said, already whispering a hundred random facts about whatever the ancient Romans called fashion. “A sign of wealth for sure, traditionally speaking, but usually they weren’t worn independently like this. Too exposed.”

I nodded to Wally’s rambling asides and studied Lilith’s appearance. She’d returned to the banquet in her own skin but not her own form. There was something strikingly familiar about her look. Skin the same light gray as mine. Longer hair, for sure, but a sheen black with neon orange roots. A pair of feathered wings sprouted from her back, the same dark gray as mine. Three tails, each playfully batting around the tables and causing mischief. Four curled horns atop her head, accentuating the jewels she adorned like a crown. Even her eyes had a crimson allure to them—an aura impossible for a devil to possess. They were pure darkness, utter black, devoid of any spark of any other color along the spectrum.

I leaned over to Wally to ask a question and confirm my suspicions. “Does she look human to you?”

“Yeah,” he whispered. “Actually, kind of surprised she possessed a person, considering she seemed so against lower beings and whatnot.”

“It’s not possession,” I said. “Merely an augmentation of her essence meant to reflect her appearance to resemble the person looking at her.”

“Whoa. That’s similar to how a siren song can alter sensory perception of smell or sight through sound. Also, the way succubi shapeshift for aesthetic pleasures.” Wally adjusted his glasses, bewitched by the ability and likely curious if his devil essence could accomplish the same. “So, this is sort of a femme version of me?”

“Slightly more feminine, yes.” I winked. “But I doubt she could rock that bossy bottom boy strut you’ve got no matter her altered presence.”

Wally tsked, then grinned, then bit his lip to hold back a snicker. Once he’d settled, he eyed Lilith again as she approached our center-staged table. “The curls really get some nice buoyancy with more length. Though, not a fan of her glasses. The frames are kind of blocky. All in all, I make a pretty girl.”

I studied my image from Lilith’s perspective. In truth, I’d possessed a few female bodies over the years because Mora always made it look like such fun. But it never felt quite right, and the composites were never to my liking. “Personally, I think my femme fatale look is quite fuckable.”

“I’d say your current form is quite fuckable, too.” Corson smirked.

“Blegh.” I mimicked a need to yack. “I forgot you were here.”

As Lilith sauntered closer, her wings spread wide, cascading an air of caution to the demon lords. Perhaps they saw limbs or extremities matching their own Diabolic forms; then again, she might’ve shown her demon kin’s actual essence flowing in a show of authority. Dominance. It worked.

Each and every one of the demon lords ceased their prattle, their feasting, their movements, and fixed all their collective attention onto Lilith. I paid respect to her presence and followed suit, keeping my body and essence stilled.

“Everyone, resume.” Lilith gestured with a single raised hand like a conductor of an orchestra, and the melody of chattering demon lords who feasted upon the dishes comprised of essence continued. “We’ll be moving into the second course shortly.”

“Oh,” Wally said, keeping his eyes on Lilith while his leg bounced. “I’m intrigued to see what could possibly top this already spectacularly outstandingly stupendously…”—he bit his lip and muttered—“that’s a lot of adjectives.” Then he quickly cleared his throat. “It’s such a challenging menu to top. Because it’s already so good.”

“Well, I do enjoy topping things,” Lilith said in quite the matter-of-fact way, so I couldn’t determine if she was being playful with Wally or simply mimicking his word choice out of politeness. Neither seemed probable or positive. The Lilith of legend didn’t do playful or polite.

“So, oh great and splendidus Walter, do tell,” Corson commented, because of course he fucking did. “Which is your favorite dish from this course?”

Wally squinted and forced his lips into a tight smile to keep from scowling. All the while, I clenched my fists to keep from punching Corson through another wall.

“Such a difficult choice to make with what’s been presented,” Wally said through gritted teeth.

“It’s not that difficult.” Corson lapped up one of the more palatable pieces of meat provided and chewed with his mouth open. “Personally, I’m a fan of the steaks. I just love the feel of thick, juicy meat sliding down my throat. Don’t you?”

Wally gulped.

“Shush, my sweet.” Lilith brushed a hand over Corson’s face and squeezed, breaking the skin and drawing essence out like blooddrops made of tar. “He is always voicing himself unnecessarily.”

He growled and gurgled until complacently quieting.

“Do we need to hear your voice?” Lilith slowly shook Corson’s head back and forth in a ‘no’ motion. “You’re here to be a pretty and proper prince.”

“Of course,” Corson started before clearing his throat to silence himself.

“Much better.” Lilith released him and licked the essence on her fingertips. “He’s by far my prettiest child. Dainty and plain in most respects, but he glistens on a burning battlefield while dancing in dead dimensions.”

An indication of Corson’s station and where he served among his devil’s army, and also a veiled reminder that Lilith regularly visited other realms with her demons to eviscerate everything in sight.

“Speaking of dances.” Lilith’s face lit up with excitement. Quite literally. Light from some meal of essence she’d feasted upon earlier illuminated her light gray skin or the projection of light gray skin meant to mimic my appearance in this augmentation illusion. “May the decadence of the devil’s dance fill you with warmth and entertainment, Great Lord Devil Walter Alden of the Misfit Mortal Mage Hybridization.”

“Wait,” Wally squeaked, then squirmed in his seat. “I’m expected to dance?”

“Nonsense,” Lilith said, strutting to join Wally on his chair, squeezing in close. “We won’t share a dance until the ninth course.”

He gulped, his eyes filling in the puzzle pieces with the fact that ‘course’ was an arbitrary term for anything deemed entertaining and appropriate for a Devil’s Banquet based on the host, the guest of honor, and the theme. In Wally’s case, it could literally be anything, as I’d never attended a feast in Hell with a mortal or mage or hybrid devil before.

“So, I am still expected to dance at some point?” he asked.

“You’ll learn the steps during courses six and seven,” Lilith replied. “Relax, darling.”

Wally forced a thin smile. “Okay.”

“For this dish, I’ve brought in another devil such as yourself,” Lilith cooed, fawning over Wally like a lovestruck teen. “Well, more his former self.”

Her gaze shifted, black eyes locked onto me, then the floor, then back to me and the seat I’d dared to move into with her absence.

“A demon with devil essence?” Wally asked, his tail instinctively wrapping around me and the seat where he wished for me to stay. “It’s a fascinating topic that you consider them devils.”

“Oh, I most certainly do not.” Lilith chuckled, her attention for me and placement waning now that Wally had boldly and affectionately grabbed ahold of me. “They are…hmmm, mortal research. What would you say as mortal? Yes, they are gnats holding hammers. Entertaining but pathetic. You, however, are something different. Not me. Not him. Not our performer.”

Her eyes flitted to me one final time when referencing my pathetic existence, how even when I robbed a piece of a devil and sealed him away for eternity, it meant nothing to her. All my achievements didn’t even register as a threat. I was a joke. A stain. A feeble attempt at power. As painful as that realization was, I took solace in the fact her gaze never turned sour like that when looking at Wally. There was admiration, fear, curiosity, but not disgust.

When her hand rested on Wally’s thigh, I wanted to strike her, but if my essence even stirred with a threatening posture, she’d slaughter me. In truth, Lilith merely meant to treat Wally as furniture. I’d seen devils do this to one another time and time again. When I had the misfortune of being dragged to unified court assemblies by Beelzebub.

The events were filled with a multitude of devils speaking on the importance of their own Hells and the interference of lesser realms, while others argued the reprieve of tiny dimensions with nothing to offer but an escape. All the while, they tested their limits on each other, some subtly like ways Lilith toyed around, some directly like how Beelzebub would slaughter several devils to test the group’s confidence.

“May I introduce Satan.” Lilith extended a hand as the fire finally died down, and a bright red demon waltzed into the dining hall. “He’s my favorite demon who survived the battle against Lucifer. Most have fizzled out, faded from memory, but not him.”

“Ooooooh.” Wally adjusted his glasses, studying Satan as he cocked his head ever so to show a sign of intrigue when listening to Lilith’s story. “It’s funny. In our world, Satan and Lucifer are actually considered the same person by most mortals. But they also assume he’s the devil.”

“Lucifer was a devil,” Lilith said. “But Satan’s merely a meager thing that looks good dressed in devil essence.”

As she embellished the rebellion against Lucifer, much like the mortals did, I recalled what I actually knew about Satan. Millions of demons had banded together to overthrow and consume Lucifer. It was a tale of success, Satan being an incredibly popular pioneer among demons who bested a devil, despite the fact Satan worked with nearly all his demon companions to destroy Lucifer and consume his essence. It ultimately added to the battle cry Eligos and other foolish demons in my dimension shouted when rallying the masses against Beelzebub. Obviously, that tale didn’t end with such celebrity.

Then again, seeing Satan’s life had turned into a form of entertainment for Lilith, I wouldn’t guess he’d been very successful either.

Physically, he towered over most demon lords here, standing with his shoulders hunched so his long, upward-curled horns wouldn’t scratch the ceiling. A deceitful action by Lilith, who had modified the dining hall upon Satan’s arrival. The vaulted ceilings had sunken inward with a droop like a wilted and withered flower.

Honestly, I was surprised Lilith didn’t make Satan crawl on his belly, but she showed him some respect. None of her lords commented on his glittering attire not fit for the theme of the party. Wally would probably assume Satan was meant to be a star, but I suspected he was a trophy meant to be shamed publicly and loudly. It served as a reminder this fate could’ve been mine had I roamed in Hells after escaping Beelzebub instead of hiding away in some lowly mortal realm with only partial magic at its disposal. The only lower radar I could’ve gone was to a world with almost zero magic whatsoever, but even I couldn’t live such a tragic life as that.

The lights flickered and flashed and focused on Satan’s entrance. His scarlet-scaled skin shimmered. The bright red undertones of his complexion highlighted the sharp features of the oxen-dragon-like head. Coarse black fur covered his chest, growing wild and around his head like a mane with finely brushed hair over his forearms and lower legs.

Music played from older instruments Wally named off silently. His lips mouthed random factoids about the melodies created until he finally had to utter one or two or seven comments about the traditional verse popularized in Ancient Rome and the music they created.

Satan’s steps were slow at first, elongated arms reaching the floor, so his claws dragged alongside his hooved feet until the swift slash created a spark of lightning. All the light vanished and suddenly only the electricity brimming from the essence of Satan himself provided anything other than pitch black nothingness.

Each clack of the hooves held a rhythmic step. The sway of claws cast trances on the audience, and perhaps at Lilith’s bequest or merely for the sake of satiating his own appetite for carnage, Satan slaughtered a member here and there. No gasps followed. Not even by Wally, who’d quickly trained himself not to react to Diabolic carnage. A few cheers were met by the way Satan swirled the essence of his victims around the lightning.

Wally’s eyes studied each move, enchanted and perplexed by Satan’s graceful dance that blended death and fire and art into this elegant poetry where each step etched a letter in the lyrics of this performance.

I savored this calm entertainment where everyone’s eyes had been drawn away from Wally, even Lilith herself as she watched her puppet perform.

Satan’s movements reached their peak, and the dance slowed. When the final step was taken, the instrumental accompaniment died instantly with a sour thwack meant to silence everyone. Satan extended his arms high and wide, much like a warrior in an arena who’d bested a Diabolic foe, but now he only fought for Lilith’s entertainment. His entire existence meant to serve a devil’s whim.

Smoke captured Satan midbow, and he vanished in a swift act of teleportation, returning to whatever chamber Lilith deemed appropriate for her pet.

It was a sickening reminder of life in Hell, eternal agony or servitude or combat, and round and round it went.

The silence continued, only everyone’s gaze had flitted from Satan’s empty stage and landed on Wally, who did a masterful job of not squirming from so much attention.

“I’m floored by the level of research you all did,” he said. “It’s like you brought the era to life. With a Diabolic spin, but it’s fascinating.”

“But of course.” Lilith smiled and with her features imitating mine, it made the phoniness of her sincerity all the more obvious. “Only the best for my guest of honor.”

“You said I differed from Satan, from other Diabolics who possess essence.” Wally turned his attention to Lilith. “How so?”

“We’ll discuss it soon.” Lilith brushed a hand over Wally’s face, a delicate action but one met with a surge of Wally’s essence as his eyes went black, meaning she must’ve circulated a pulse of her presence in the brief contact. “Or perhaps we should discuss it now. Privately. The third course isn’t nearly as appealing as a conversation between devils.”

With a snap of her fingers, Wally split into crumbling ashes, shattering to dust on the floor, which Lilith swept away with a flick of her wrist. Wally had vanished before my eyes. Before I could react, move, or question, Lilith blinked out of existence, disappearing as quickly as she’d stolen Wally away.

Up until now, I’d been terrified Lilith was looking for any misstep on Wally’s part, a sign of weakness, a reason to shatter him to nothingness, but now, I feared it might be so much worse than that. Lilith had a curiosity for Wally’s uniqueness. She saw him as a new trophy to claim…one she might desire to keep in Hell and put on display like her other Diabolic devil oddities.